FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of unique identifiers for uniquely identifying
services objects, persons animals etc.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is often desirable to uniquely label or identify items, such as large or small
objects, plants, animals, people and or services for sorting, tracking, identification,
verification, authentication, or for other purposes.
[0003] Currently, such unique identification may be applied by means of printed bar codes,
QR codes, electronic microchips/transponders, near field communications based tags
such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, and fluorescence (or other optical
techniques), which often are inadequate.
[0004] Such Near Field Communication based tags (NFC) use metal antennas e.g. copper to
receive signals.
[0005] The barcodes or Quick response (QR) codes are printed visually, easy to reproduce
but expensive to read.
[0006] Furthermore, the Circuits printed with conductive inks are complex to make but still
not difficult to copy and reproduce.
[0007] For example, these existing technologies may additionally be too large for certain
applications, may not provide sufficient different codes, cannot be made flexible
or bendable and/or cannot withstand harsh environments, e.g., harsh temperature, pressure,
chemical, nuclear and/or electromagnetic environments.
[0008] It is a problem how to provide with a unique identifier that provides with a unique
identification can be read in an easy and reliable manner and additionally can be
produced in simple and cheap manner not easily being subject to counterfeiting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide with a method, a system and related
devices for providing with a unique identifier but wherein the aforementioned shortcoming
or drawbacks of the known solutions are alleviated or overcome.
[0010] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a unique identifier module
for providing with a unique identification at excitation or reading of said unique
identification, wherein said Unique identifier module comprises a constellation of
randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments, configured to generate a unique
response signal at an output of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric
wave guide filaments at excitation of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric
wave guide filaments by feeding a signal at an input of said constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0011] Correspondingly, embodiments of the invention relate to a system for providing with
a unique identification at excitation or reading of said unique identification, said
system comprising a signal generator that is configured to generate a signal for feeding
into said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments and
a unique identifier module according to claim 1, a signal measurement means that is
configured to measure said unique response signal at said output of said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments and a digital identification
generation means, that is configured to generate a unique digital identifier based
on said unique response signal and the predetermined input signal.
[0012] Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention a constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments, is configured to generate a unique response
signal at an output of this constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave
guide filaments at excitation of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric
wave guide filaments by feeding a signal at an input of this constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0013] Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention a signal generator is configured
to generate a predetermined signal for feeding into a constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments and in response to feeding this generated predetermined
signal into the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments,
the meant constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments generates
a unique response signal at an output of this constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments which unique response signal at an output of the constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments is measured by a measurement
means where after the digital identification generation means generates a unique digital
identifier based on said unique response signal and said predetermined input signal.
[0014] Due to the uniqueness of the constellation of dielectric wave guide filaments as
a consequence of the randomness of distribution of dielectric wave guide filaments,
a unique response signal is derived by feeding a predetermined input signal to an
input of such unique constellation of dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0015] Such filaments may be thread-like structures composed of recyclable or non-recyclable
plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
etc.
[0016] Furthermore, such a constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments
may be produced by means of 3D printing extrusion, molding, etc. The waveguide material
must have a different refractive index or dielectric constant from its surrounding
material, which may be air or a foamed dielectric such as Styrofoam, as the guiding
of electromagnetic waves in dielectric waveguides is caused by the difference in dielectric
constant between the waveguide and its surroundings. This difference in dielectric
constant gives rise to the necessary boundary conditions for the electromagnetic wave
in order for it to propagate in the desired direction.
Due to the randomness of the distribution of the dielectric wave guide filaments of
the constellation, random phase delays and amplitude changes of the response signal
will occur at excitation with the predetermined excitation-signal being the input
signal.
[0017] These random phase delays and amplitude changes depend on the physical structure
of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments. The
construction is cheap and recyclable due to the potential use of recyclable plastics.
[0018] Such randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments may be constituted using
recyclable plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene
(HDPE), polystyrene (PS) or alternatively by means of PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene
being non recyclable.
[0019] Such an input signal may be a radio signal like a millimeter wave, as millimeter
waves are well suited due to the fact that their wavelengths are only several millimeters.
Therefore, the associated waveguide dimensions are also in the order of millimeters
being small enough to provide with a compact waveguide network.
[0020] The use of radio waves allows to easily measure both amplitude and phase of the signal.
[0021] The applied radio waves preferably are of very high frequency, such that the waveguides
can become small in size. The related electronics circuits hence are cheap to produce.
[0022] Such constellation of unique constellation of dielectric wave guide filaments may
be obtained from Dielectric wave guide filaments that are randomly distributed, in
one or several layers, optionally on top of a wave insulating substrate.
[0023] Accordingly, the construction of such unique constellation of dielectric wave guide
filaments when produced using of recyclable plastics is relatively inexpensive and
recyclable. Moreover, the use of radio waves allows to easily measure both amplitude
and phase of the signal.
[0024] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a Unique identifier module
further comprising an insulating substrate configured to carry said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0025] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention further relate to a system wherein
said unique identifier module further comprises an insulating substrate configured
to carry said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0026] An additional embodiment of the present invention relates to Unique identifier device
wherein said Unique identifier device further comprises an insulating substrate configured
to carry said network of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0027] Such insulating substrate is configured to carry said constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments may be constituted by means of Styrofoam or other
polymer foams. Alternatively, metal suspension structures can be used. The contact
area with the waveguide must be minimized in order to prevent signal loss.
[0028] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a system wherein said
digital identification generation means, is configured to generate a unique digital
identifier based on said unique response signal in combination with the predetermined
input signal by determining the transfer function or frequency response of said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments. Correspondingly, the digital
identification generation means generates a unique digital identifier based on the
unique response signal and said predetermined input signal by determining the transfer
function or frequency response of this constellation of randomly distributed dielectric
wave guide filaments.
[0029] The applied measurement circuit may comprise a wave generator and a wave spectrum
analyzer. A response of the waveguide network to the specific input signal is measured.
The measured characteristics are encoded into a digital identifier, optionally being
a binary identifier.
[0030] Further characterizing embodiments of the present method for providing with a unique
identification are mentioned in the appended claims.
[0031] The effects and advantages of the apparatus and systems according to embodiments
of the present invention are substantially the same,
mutatis mutandis, as those of the corresponding methods according to embodiments of the present inventions.
[0032] It is to be noticed that the term 'comprising', used in the claims, should not be
interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter. Thus, the scope of
the expression 'a device comprising means A and B' should not be limited to devices
consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention,
the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
[0033] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term 'coupled', also used in the claims,
should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the
scope of the expression 'a device A coupled to a device B' should not be limited to
devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input
of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input
of B which may be a path including other devices or means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The above and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent
and the invention itself will be best understood by referring to the following description
of an embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 represents a functional representation of a system for providing with a unique
identification at excitation or reading of said unique digital identification; and
Fig. 2 represents the functional structure of a reader device RD and a card including
a constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a flow of an application making use of such unique digital identification.
[0035] The description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the invention. It
will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various
arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles
of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples
recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes
to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts
contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover,
all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention,
as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0036] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein
represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the
invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams,
state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which
may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a
computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0037] In the following paragraphs, referring to the drawing in FIG.1, an implementation
of the system for providing with a unique identification at excitation or reading
of said unique identification according to an embodiment of the present invention
is described. In the second paragraph, all connections between mentioned elements
are defined. Subsequently all relevant functional means of the mentioned system as
presented in FIG.1 are described followed by a description of all interconnections.
[0038] In the succeeding paragraph the actual execution of the system is described.
[0039] A first essential element of the system is a Unique identifier module UIM for providing
with a unique identification at excitation or reading of said unique identification
and a second essential element of the system is a Unique identifier Reader device
RD for determining a unique digital identifier corresponding to the Unique identifier
module UIM.
[0040] Such Unique identifier module UIM according to an embodiment of the present invention
comprises a constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments,
which are configured to generate a unique response signal at an output of said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments at excitation of said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments by feeding a signal at an
input of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0041] The unique identifier module UIM further may comprise an insulating substrate that
is configured to carry the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide
filaments. The substrate for carrying the constellation may provide strength and stiffness
to the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0042] Such Unique identifier module UIM may additionally comprise a plurality of dielectric
wave guide touch points TP1, TP2 respectively being the input and the output of the
constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments, which hence
are configured to couple the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave
guide filaments to a respective output TP3 of a radio signal generator RSG and input
TP4 of a radio signal measurement means RSM.
[0043] The Unique identifier Reader device RD may be coupled over a communications network
optionally including a mobile - or fixed access networks in concatenation with the
internet or other suitable networks to a identification server IS.
[0044] The Unique identifier Reader device RD in turn comprises a signal generator RSG that
is configured to generate a signal for feeding into said constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments and a measurement means RSM which is configured
to measure the unique response signal at the output of the constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments and furthermore a digital identification
generation means DIGM, that is configured to generate a unique digital identifier
based on said unique response signal.
[0045] The Unique identifier Reader device RD further is equipped with a plurality of dielectric
wave guide touch points TP3, TP4 respectively being the output of the signal generating
means RSG and the input of the signal measurement means RSM, which touch points hence
are configured to couple the respective output TP3 of a radio signal generator RSG
and input TP4 of a radio signal measurement means RSM to the respective input and
output of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
Such touch points are couplers, which have to couple the radio signal from the signal
generator RSG to the waveguide and from the waveguide to the RSM. These couplers may
be an antenna or some other electromagnetic wave coupling structure.
[0046] Further such Unique identifier Reader device RD may include a Unique identifier Reader
device interface RDI that is configured to control the reading of the Unique identifier
module UIM and which for instance may be configured to start and stop the measurement
and optionally also may be configured to interface with external devices such as a
Smartphone, Personal Computer, tablet or the cloud if the Unique identifier Reader
device interface RDI is enabled with Internet Protocol capabilities.
[0047] The signal generator RSG is coupled with a first output to the Dielectric wave guide
touch points TP3 and with a second output to an input of the digital identification
generation means DIGM. Finally, the signal generator RSG is coupled to the unique
identifier Reader device interface RDI.
[0048] Dielectric wave guide touch points TP4 is coupled with an output to an input of the
signal measurement means RSM which in turn is coupled with an output to an input of
the digital identification generation means DIGM. The digital identification generation
means DIGM further is coupled to the Unique identifier Reader device interface RDI.
The Unique identifier Reader device interface RDI further is coupled with an input/output
to an input /output terminal of the Unique identifier Reader device RD.
[0049] In order to explain the present invention first it is assumed that there is a Unique
identifier module UIM being incorporated in a poster, bank- or credit-card, cell phone,
Smartphone, personal computer, etc, which Unique identifier module UIM comprises a
constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments being produced
using recyclable plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene
(HDPE), polystyrene (PS) etc. Alternatively, the constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments may be produced based on any other kind of plastics.
[0050] Even a further alternative may be, where a constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments, in the case of a poster, may be applied on top of
the paper surface of the poster, where the poster additional performs the task of
carrier of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
[0051] The constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments is produced
in such manner that it is configured to provide with a unique identification at excitation
or reading of said unique identification. This identification may be applied for uniquely
identifying a certain service like a Banking account / credit card account for making
a payment or transfer of data between cellphones, authentication of phone or personal
computer or other applications requiring a unique identification.
[0052] The unique identifier Reader device RD, at reading the Unique identifier module,
generates by means of the signal generator RSG a signal for feeding into the constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments via respective touch points
TP3 and TP1. Such signal input signal may be a signal whereof the frequency is swept
over a certain range.
[0053] Alternatively, such an input signal may be chosen to be a simpler signal, for example
a signal comprising one or more modulated continuous-wave signals or the input signal
may be for example frequency chirps or short pulses or any other suitable input-signal.
[0054] The aim of the signal generator RSG and the measurement means RSM is to characterize
the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments based on
a millimeter-wave (radio) signal in such a manner that the response is unique for
each network, based on the underlying 2D or 3D structure of the plastic waveguides.
[0055] Subsequently, at feeding the input signal to the constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments, at the output of the constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments and consequently at touch point TP2, a unique response
signal is induced which is transferred to the signal measurement means RSM via touch
point TP4. The signal measurement means RSM measures this unique response signal at
the output of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments
and subsequently feeds the measured unique response signal into the identification
generation means DIGM. The identification generation means DIGM in turn, generates
a unique digital identifier based on said unique response signal measured and said
predetermined input signal.
[0056] In order to generate such unique digital identifier, the identification generation
means DIGM compares the signal that the radio signal generator RSG sends into the
constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments with the signal
being induced in the waveguide network.
[0057] At the input of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments,
touch point TP1, a signal is applied whose frequency is swept over a certain range
and the response of the network (amplitude and phase) is measured at each frequency.
[0058] The digital identification generation means DIGM may generate a unique digital identifier
based on said unique response signal of the constellation of waveguides in combination
with said predetermined input signal at the input of the constellation of waveguides
by determining the transfer function or frequency response of said constellation of
randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments. At each frequency, the output
signal is compared to the input signal in terms of amplitude and phase, or equivalently,
the complex frequency response of the constellation of randomly distributed dielectric
wave guide filaments at millimeter wave frequencies may be determined. The determined
frequency response may or may not be digitalized and/or coded in order to obtain a
digital unique code.
[0059] The digital identification generation means DIGM subsequently outputs the determined
unique digital identifier for being applied in an application such as a banking application
where the unique digital identifier identifies a banking account of a person or in
another application field, a advertisement campaign wherein the unique digital identifier
identifies a campaign, a product offer reduction-coupons of a certain product provider.
The unique digital identifier may be forwarded by means of the Unique identifier Reader
device interface RDI that is configured to control the reading of the Unique identifier
module UIM and which for instance may include start and stop of the measurement and
optionally also may be configured to interface with external devices such as a personal
computer, server, tablet, Smartphone or any other processing device.
[0060] Further in order to show an embodiment of an application of such a unique identifier
module UIM a service as may be applied in an environment shown in FIG.2 and FIG. 3
is described.
[0061] First it is assumed that the unique identifier module UIM is applied for a buying
a certain product e.g. a television a computer or even groceries in a supermarket,
while assuming that each product is tagged with a unique identifier module UIM of
the present invention where the unique identifier module UIM may be incorporated in
a certain attachable stuck to the target product.
[0062] Further, it is assumed that person having the intent to buy the product, e.g. the
television uses his Smartphone having a buying - or payment application such as a
banking application installed at his Smartphone and in addition a reader device RD
incorporated in his Smartphone. The user starts his payment application or buying
application which application triggers the incorporated reader device RD to read the
unique identifier module UIM attached to the television. The reader device at excitation
of the unique identifier module UIM obtains a unique code, in this embodiment, being
the product ID, PID of the television. The product Id PID is received at the buying
application and subsequently is communicated to the identification server IS which
in turn responds the buying application with the product identification, price information
and other relevant information concerning the intended television.
[0063] The identification server IS is configured to looks up the identification in a table
of a data base comprising a table with a plurality of product ID PID where each product
Identification PID is associated with product information on each corresponding product.
[0064] The buying application subsequently may present the obtained product information
on the screen of the user's Smartphone. The Smartphone's user, upon may confirm the
purchase of the television where after the buying application makes the payment via
the usual way, i.e. via the payment server PS of the bank where the user has a banking-account.
[0065] Alternatively it is assumed that the unique identifier module UIM is applied for
a banking Service where the unique identifier module UIM is incorporated in a banking-card
of a certain person.
[0066] Further, it is assumed that at reading a unique identifier module UIM, here being
a certain unique digital identification identifying a bank account of this person
is obtained by the unique identifier Reader device RD. It is further assumed that
at reading the unique identifier module UIM incorporated in the meant banking card,
the unique digital identification identifying the meant bank account of this person
is output by the unique identifier Reader device RD and propagated over the communications
network CN to an identification server. The identification server based on the unique
digital identification identifying the owner of the banking card with associated account
information for communicating to the appropriate banking server of the meant bank.
[0067] A final remark is that embodiments of the present invention are described above in
terms of functional blocks. From the functional description of these blocks, given
above, it will be apparent for a person skilled in the art of designing electronic
devices how embodiments of these blocks can be manufactured with well-known electronic
components. A detailed architecture of the contents of the functional blocks hence
is not given.
[0068] While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with
specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is merely
made by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention, as defined
in the appended claims.
1. Unique identifier module (UIM) for providing with a unique digital identification
at excitation of said unique identifier module (UIM), wherein said Unique identifier
module (UIM) comprises:
- a constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments, configured
to generate a unique response signal at an output of said constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments at excitation of said constellation of
randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments by feeding a predetermined signal
at an input of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
2. Unique identifier module (UIM) according to claim 1, wherein said Unique identifier
module (UIM) further comprises:
- an insulating substrate configured to carry said constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments.
3. System for providing with a unique digital identification at excitation of said unique
identifier module (UIM), said system comprising:
- a signal generator (RSG), configured to generate a predetermined signal for feeding
into said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments; and
- unique identifier module (UIM) according to claim 1; and
- signal measurement means (RSM), configured to measure said unique response signal
at said output of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide
filaments; and
- a digital identification generation means (DIGM), configured to generate said unique
digital identifier based on said unique response signal measured and said predetermined
input signal.
4. System according to claim 3, wherein said wherein said Unique identifier module (UIM)
further comprises:
- an insulating substrate configured to carry said constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filaments.
5. System according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said wherein said digital identification
generation means (DIGM), is configured to generate a unique digital identifier based
on said unique response signal and said predetermined input signal by determining
the transfer function of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave
guide filaments.
6. Unique identifier Reader device (RD), for use in a system according to claim 3,_said
Unique identifier reader device (RD) comprising:
- a signal generator (RSG), configured to generate a predetermined signal for feeding
into said at constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments;
and
- a measurement means (RSM), configured to measure said unique response signal at
said output of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments;
and
- a digital identification generation means (DIGM), configured to generate a unique
digital identifier based on said unique response signal measured and said known input
signal.
7. Method for providing with a unique digital identification at excitation of said unique
identifier module (UIM), said method comprising:
- generating a predetermined signal for feeding into a constellation of randomly distributed
dielectric wave guide filament; and
- generating a unique response signal at an output of said constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filaments at excitation of said constellation of
randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments by feeding said predetermined
signal at an input of said constellation of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide
filaments; and
- measuring said unique response signal at said output of said constellation of randomly
distributed dielectric wave guide filament; and
- generating a unique digital identifier based on said unique response signal and
said predetermined input signal.
8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said wherein said Unique identifier module device
further comprises an insulating substrate configured to carry said constellation of
dielectric wave guide filaments.
9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said method further comprises the step of
generating a unique digital identifier based on said unique response signal and said
predetermined input signal by determining the transfer function or of said constellation
of randomly distributed dielectric wave guide filaments.
10. Device including unique identification module (UIM) according to claim 1.